Miss Manners herself, while never rude, is given to pulling a fast pinch in the way of a handshake on those who… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
My children did not go through a stage of being rude to their parents. I'm sorry if that sounds incredible. — Judith Martin Being Copy Share Image
The invention of the teenager was a mistake. Once you identify a period of life in which people get to stay out… — Judith Martin Children Copy Share Image
What we have come to, through a combination of popular psychology and expanding technology, is a presumption that all our thoughts and… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“Miss Manners fails to understand why philanthropists would turn from the needy to the greedy, but she is not in the business… — Judith Martin Business Copy Share Image
The more skillful the performance of false cheer, the more pleasing the effect is upon one's public and on that private audience… — Judith Martin Audience Copy Share Image
The rationale that etiquette should be eschewed because it fosters inequality does not ring true in a society that openly admits to… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The whole country wants civility. Why don't we have it? It doesn't cost anything. No federal funding, no legislation is involved. One… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“Miss Manners corrects only upon request. Then she does it from a distance, with no names attached, and no personal relationship, however… — Judith Martin Manners Copy Share Image
What you have when everyone wears the same playclothes for all occasions, is addressed by nickname, expected to participate in Show And… — Judith Martin All occasions Copy Share Image
First. I began my career as a copy girl. and the White House coverage, for example, was in the then-Women's section. So… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The dinner table is the center for the teaching and practicing not just of table manners but of conversation, consideration, tolerance, family… — Judith Martin Accomplishment Copy Share Image
“As successful people are afraid of being used, unsuccessful people are afraid of being snubbed, interesting people want to talk about something… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
One reason that the task of inventing manners is so difficult is that etiquette is folk custom, and people have emotional ties… — Judith Martin Being different Copy Share Image
I have always believed that the key to a happy marriage was the ability to say with a straight face, 'Why, I… — Judith Martin Ability Copy Share Image
people, in forming their opinions of others, are usually lazy enough to go by whatever is most obvious or whatever chance remark… — Judith Martin Chance Copy Share Image
“Without such rules, there are no exchanges of ideas, only exchanges of set positions and insults. People who disagree rapidly move from… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Precision marching is less important for the bridal party than maintaining the proper facial expresssions: The bridegroom must look awed; the bridesmaids,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without a comment is a wonderful social grace ... Children who have the habit of constantly… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
I make a distinction between manners and etiquette - manners as the principles, which are eternal and universal, etiquette as the particular… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“Conversation, which is supposed to be a two-way street, is treated by many people as if it were a divided highway. They… — Judith Martin Communication Copy Share Image
In its natural state, the child tells the literal truth because it is too naive to think of anything else. Blurting out… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The mistake people keep making is that if they find a wonderful new tool, like email, they have to give up all… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
It is wrong to wear diamonds before luncheon, except on one’s marriage rings. Before, after, and during breakfast, luncheon and dinner, it… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Should you happen to notice that another person is extremely tall or overweight, eats too much or declines convivial drinks, has red… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“new method of taxing people with their faults has not only retained but magnified its own faults. It tells only one side… — Judith Martin Taxes Copy Share Image
One should not be assigned one's identity in society by the job slot one happens to fill. If we truly believe in… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
It is a widespread and firm belief among guests that their departure is always a matter of distress to their hosts, and… — Judith Martin Belief Copy Share Image
Nowadays, we never allow ourselves the convenience of being temporarily unavailable, even to strangers. With telephone and beeper, people subject themselves to… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
'Honesty' in social life is often used as a cover for rudeness. But there is quite a difference between being candid in… — Judith Martin Candid Copy Share Image
It is not rude to turn off your telephone by switching it on to an answering machine, which is cheaper and less… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“Miss Manners remembers who should be introduced to whom, but then she also remembers the difference between “who” and “whom.” The formula… — Judith Martin Manners Copy Share Image
The truly essential bargain between host and guest requires the guest only to respond promptly, show up on time, socialize with other… — Judith Martin Bargains Copy Share Image
The etiquette business has its emergencies, heaven knows, but it is in the nature of etiquette emergencies that once one realizes what… — Judith Martin Apology Copy Share Image
The only way to enjoy the fun of catching people behaving disgustingly is to have children. One has to keep having them,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“As dear Erasmus said, “It is part of the highest civility if, while never erring yourself, you ignore the errors of others.”… — Judith Martin Civility Copy Share Image
“How do you do?” depending on the formality of the occasion, and whether you can count on the other person to understand… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
